Tantalize your taste buds with Afghan spinach, a delectable dish bursting with vibrant flavors and textures. Originating from the rich culinary heritage of Afghanistan, this dish is a harmonious blend of fresh spinach, aromatic herbs, and a symphony of spices. With three enticing variations, this recipe caters to diverse palates, ensuring an unforgettable gastronomic experience. Embark on a culinary journey with Afghan spinach Bolani, a delightful combination of tender spinach encased in a crispy flatbread. Indulge in the comforting warmth of Afghan spinach shorwa, a hearty soup brimming with succulent spinach, lentils, and a medley of spices. Lastly, savor the vibrant Afghan spinach rice, where fluffy rice is elevated with the vibrant colors and earthy flavors of spinach, creating a visually stunning and palate-pleasing dish. Prepare to be captivated by the culinary artistry of Afghan spinach as you explore these tantalizing recipes, promising an extraordinary culinary adventure.
Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!
SABZI (SPINACH AND LAMB STEW)
Sabzi is one of the traditional dishes served during Afghan Nowruz, the celebration of the new year and vernal equinox, and Durkhanai Ayubi included this recipe from her mother, Farida Ayubi, in their cookbook "Parwana: Recipes and Stories From an Afghan Kitchen." The rich green hue of this dish symbolizes the arrival of spring and new life. In the book, Ms. Ayubi uses a pressure cooker for the lamb - you can as well - but the stovetop version below doesn't take very long. Either way, the lamb becomes tender in an intensely flavorful broth of onion, garlic and chile. It then simmers in cooked spinach, fragrant with fried cilantro and garlic chives. This soul-affirming sabzi, along with its traditional accompaniment of challaw, a spiced Afghan rice dish, is a welcome way to celebrate the reawakening of nature.
Provided by Naz Deravian
Categories dinner, soups and stews, main course
Time 2h30m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a large Dutch oven or similar pot, heat 1/2 cup oil over medium-high. Add the onion, garlic and chile, and cook, stirring frequently, until golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Push the vegetables to one side and add the lamb to the other. Cook until lightly browned on all sides, 3 to 8 minutes total. Add 2 tablespoons kosher salt (or 1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt or fine salt) and 4 cups water, then stir and bring to a gentle boil, skimming any scum that rises to the surface. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook until the lamb is tender, 1 hour and 5 minutes to 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, in a kettle or a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup water to a boil, and keep at a simmer.
- In a very large skillet with a lid, heat the remaining 1/2 cup oil over medium. Add the cilantro and garlic chives, and fry, stirring occasionally, to bring out all the flavors, about 5 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl.
- Place the same skillet over medium-high heat (no need to wash), add the chopped spinach and the just-boiled water, and cover partially. Cook, stirring occasionally, until all the liquid is gone, about 20 minutes.
- Add the lamb, 1 cup of its cooking liquid (any remaining broth can be refrigerated or frozen for another use) and the cilantro mixture to the spinach. Stir to combine well, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until all the flavors mingle, about 15 minutes. Taste, season with salt if desired and serve with challaw.
AFGHAN LAMB WITH SPINACH
Other greens may be used instead of spinach, but cooking time will have to be adjusted. From "Diabetes Cooking for Everyone", by Carol Gelles. Exchanges:2 3/4 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1/4 milk, 2 1/2 fat.
Provided by zeldaz51
Categories Stew
Time 2h20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 Fahrenheit.
- Dust the lamb cubes with the flour.
- In a 3 quart nonstick ovenproof pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the lamb and cook until well-browned on all sides, about 5 minutes. This is best done in batches, as if the pieces of meat touch they will not brown properly. Remove meat from pot and set aside.
- Add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook, stirring, until slightly softened, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in the spices (turmeric through pepper), then stir in the tomatoes and water and bring to a boil. Return the lamb to the pot. Cover and place in the oven for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the lamb is soft.
- Remove the pot from the oven and stir in the spinach until it is wilted. Stir in the yogurt, lemon zest, and slat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 234, Fat 14.3, SaturatedFat 5.4, Cholesterol 62, Sodium 78.9, Carbohydrate 8.2, Fiber 1.7, Sugar 2.6, Protein 18.1
AFGHAN SPINACH APPETIZER DIP
This recipe came from an Afghanistan cookbook, that I think came out in the 1990's (from Minnesota). I don't remember the title, but their recipes were very good.
Provided by Andtototoo
Categories Low Protein
Time 40m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Wash the spinach several times to remove any sand, and finely chop.
- Put water into a medium-size saucepan until it comes up about 1" from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the spinach and boil over high heat for five minutes.
- Drain.
- In a large frying pan, over medium-high heat, put the oil and onion.
- Stir-fry until the onion is tender, adding the garlic the last couple of minutes.
- Add the cooked spinach and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Turn off heat and let cool.
- In a serving bowl mix together the yogurt, spinach mixture, cayenne, salt, pepper and ground coriander.
- Refrigerate overnight.
- The mixture needs to sit for a while in the fridge so that the flavors can marry.
- Serve with pita bread or naan.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 229.5, Fat 18, SaturatedFat 4.4, Cholesterol 15.9, Sodium 415.4, Carbohydrate 12.3, Fiber 2.4, Sugar 7.3, Protein 7.1
AFGHAN SPINACH
I have always loved to eat spinach at Afghanistan restaurants. After several tries at making it, here are my results, which are easy and quite good served with fresh basmati rice.
Provided by Andtototoo
Categories Vegetable
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Wash the green onions and cut off the very ends (both ends). roughly chop and put into a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped.
- Put the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. When the heat is hot, add the green onion and stir-fry for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, roughly chop 1/2 bunch cilantro (fresh green coriander) and pulse it in the food processor until finely chopped.
- Add the cilantro and spinach to the frying pan and stir for a minute until everything is well mixed.
- Add all the spices and stir again.
- Add the water, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. Check to see if the spinach is very tender, if not, recover and cook 5 more minutes.
- Remove cover and continue to cook over medium heat until all of the liquid has evaporated.
- Good seved with fresh basmati rice. I also like to eat this with lamb.
Tips:
- Fresh Spinach: For the best results, use fresh spinach. If you only have frozen spinach on hand, thaw it completely and squeeze out any excess moisture before using it.
- Spices: Afghan spinach is typically made with a blend of spices that includes cumin, coriander, and turmeric. You can adjust the amount of each spice to suit your taste.
- Yogurt: The yogurt in this recipe adds a creamy and tangy flavor. If you don't have yogurt on hand, you can substitute it with sour cream or buttermilk.
- Garnish: Afghan spinach is often garnished with fresh cilantro or mint. You can also add a squeeze of lemon juice for a bit of extra brightness.
Conclusion:
Afghan spinach is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. With its blend of spices and creamy yogurt, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting way to cook spinach, give Afghan spinach a try!
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